New York Introduces New Hurricane-Proof Hospital

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital replaces the facility that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.

By Mackenna Moralez, Associate Editor


Residents of South Brooklyn will soon have a new $923 million public hospital that will elevate the healthcare of its patients. 

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital is designed to be flood proof – a crucial decision as the Coney Island Hospital was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. According to The New York Times, seawater poured into the emergency room and at least 370 patients were evacuated.  

The new hospital was built in the same location as the previous building. Hospital leaders managed to convince the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that constructing a new building would cost nearly the same as repairing the old one. The New York Times report that FEMA gave the city’s public hospital system $1 billion to build a new facility.  

The building reportedly has four-foot-tall barrier walls surrounding most of the campus. Meanwhile, two large generators occupy the building’s fifth floor. The hospital also has a glass curtain wall that is resistant to hurricane damage and is able to withstand “large and small missile impact,” The New York Times reports. The new hospital will also feature: 

  • A surgical suite comprised of eight state-of-the-art operating rooms 
  • Robotic surgery 
  • An endoscopy suite 
  • Inpatient dialysis 
  • 80 private medical-surgical beds 
  • 60 behavioral health beds with panoramic views of Brooklyn and the New York City skyline 
  • Diagnostic and interventional radiology 
  • Clinical laboratories 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market.  



May 4, 2023


Topic Area: Construction


Recent Posts

Healthcare Facilities are Shifting Toward More Holistic Designs

As healthcare moves toward prevention and long-term wellness, the Alice L. Walton Healthcare Campus illustrates how design strategies are evolving to support this transition. 


Froedtert Hospital Unveils Six-Level Parking Structure

The new garage, which boasts a glass-enclosed design and modern parking management technology, elevates the parking experience.


Nemours Children's Breaks Ground on New Multi-Specialty Care Facility in Melbourne

With construction set to officially begin this summer, Nemours Children’s Health, Viera is expected to open in the summer of 2027.


Designing for Caregiver-Centered Support Spaces

When healthcare environments are designed to meet the needs of caregivers and patients, everyone who relies on the system experiences better outcomes.


Novant Health Gets Approval for Wesley Chapel Medical Center

The 32-bed hospital will be located in Monroe and is expected to be completed in 2030.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.